5.2. HRSR 08-07-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ITEM # 5.2. .rover MEMORANDUM TO: Housing and Redevelopment Authority FROM: Heidi Steinmetz, Assistant Director of Economic Development DATE: August 7, 2006 SUBJECT: Downtown Marketing/Communications Update Background A component of the Downtown Revitalization Project Communications Plan is to consistently inform residents and non-residents of construction, parking and traffic issues downtown so they feel comfortable traveling downtown. In addition to public safety, the goal is to keep downtown "open for business" during construction. The Downtown Business Marketing Plan approved by the HRA in May specifies marketing tools to help achieve this goal. Below is a list of marketing/communications items accomplished to date. January -August 2006 • January Q & A Newsletter (approx. 9,000 inserts in Star News) • May Q & A Newsletter (approx. 9,000 inserts in Star News) • 14 weekly ads (May 10 -August 9) in the Elk River Star News • Downtown business "promo" video (ongoing) • Government Access Cable Channel billboard ad (ongoing) • Downtown business "coupon" flyer (approx. 9,000 inserts in June 28 Star News) • Specialty road signage directing drivers to downtown businesses (ongoing) • Newspaper press releases (ongoing) • Public notices to downtown business & property owners (ongoing) • Open for Business banner (to be placed on Kemper Drug building facing Hwy 10 until construction ends) Issue In May, staff estimated that the HRA's 2006 budgeted publishing line item of $12,500 would accommodate the remainder of this year's marketing/communications activities. However, in addition to ongoing marketing/communications items at minimal cost, it appears that this is not the case. Below is a list of marketing/communications activities anticipated for the remainder of 2006.